NI Limousin breeders in top form at Carlisle

NI Limousin breeders received some of the top prices at the recent Limousin Society May Show & Sale at Carlisle.

In the female ring, Claragh Layla from JD Rainey, Kilrea, recorded a joint top price of 18,000gns. This January 2015-born embryo calf is by Wilodge Vantastic and out of Haltcliffe Avon. She was purchased by Gareth Small, Kilkeel, Co Down.

In the bull sale, NI breeders featured strongly with WJ and J McKay of Maghera receiving 20,000gns for the October 2014-born Ampertaine Jefferson out of the sire Ampertaine Elgin. The McKay family sold two other bulls going for 7,500gns and 5,000gns.

Also at 20,000gns was Lynderg James, a Lynderg Hero son offered by Jim Quail, Banbridge.

Selling at 15,000gns was Craigatoke Jackpot from Martin Conway, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone. Another by Ampertaine Elgin, this October 2014-born bull is out of the Wilodge Vantastic-sired Craigatoke Elegant.

Good demand for Dorset sheep

There was a strong demand in Exeter for commercial Dorset rams and ewes, while the best breeders’ rams and females made good top prices.

In fact, the breed record for females was broken when Thomas Wright of the Ballytaggart flock at Ballymoney got 2,000gns for a homebred ewe lamb selling to Andrew Kennedy of the Maine Valley flock at Ballymena. In the commercial section, Thomas Wright had the champion pen of females and they made £300 a head.

In the pedigree rams sale, William and Karen Carson paid 2,600gns for Deverill Xavi from Adrian Dufosee, a September-born Poll ram for use in their 200-head Downkillybegs Poll Dorsets flock at Whitesides Road, Ballymena.

Ben Lamb of Richill received 2,200gns for his ram, the October-born Richhill Xstyle from Thomas Wright of Ballytaggart.

William and Karen Carson sold their September 2015 born ram, Downkillybegs Xaco for 1,600gns to cross-channel breeder David Rossiter of the Huish flock.